Shane Warne names the Decade Men’s Test Team

Shane Warne has named the Men’s Test Team of the Decade – but there is one major omission.

As a result of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Awards, where the governing body of the sport named its own team of the decade, Aussie icon Warne decided to get involved in the sport.

After seeing a list of eleven ICC players, Australia’s top wicket-taker announced his own.

And while much of it remains as it is, there is one major difference that stands out as a sore thumb.

Australians David Warner and Steve Smith made both teams, but it was a different story for our English rivals.

The ICC named both Ben Stokes and Alastair Cook in their trial side of the decade.

As for Warnie’s team, Cook was nowhere to be seen.

During his career, the former England captain made 161 appearances at Test level for the Three Lions and had a batting average of 45.4 from his 12,472 total runs and 33 innings.

Instead, Warnie chose the South African image of Jacques Kallis.

But when he explained his decision, Warne argued that the release of Cook was not just a matter of more than the idea of leaving out one of the best players ever to grace the game.

“I looked at all the numbers and the stats and I thought,‘ you know what, you can’t leave Jacques Kallis ‘out’, ”Warne told Fox Cricket.

Jacques Kallis after scoring one hundred years. Credit: PA

“We have a record very similar to our own Ricky Ponting, who is one of the greatest bats ever. Why can’t he be on the side?

“And if you add 290 wickets Test too, that’s a very useful cricket.

“I moved Sangakkara up to open because you’re not going to move (Kane) Williamson, (Virat) Kohli or (Steve) Smith. So unfortunately, Alastair Cook has to miss out.

“When you look at the side, does he look a stronger side with Kallis inside than the first one? Yes, yes, so I went with him.”

Shane Warne Men’s Test Team of the Decade